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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 163 records · Page 9

Design, development, and test of Shuttle/Centaur G-prime cryogenic tankage thermal protection systems

The thermal protection systems (TPS) for the Shuttle/Centaur were designed to provide fail-safe thermal protection during prelaunch, launch ascent, and on-orbit operations as well as during potential abort, where the Shuttle and Centaur would return to earth. The TPS selected used a helium-purged polyimide foam beneath three radiation shields for the liquid-hydrogen (LH2) tank and radiation shields only for the liquid-oxygen (LO2) tank. A double-walled vacuum bulkhead separated the two tanks. The LH2 tank had one 1.9 cm-thick layer of foam on the forward bulkhead and two layers on the larger-area sidewall. Full scale tests of the flight vehicle in a simulated Shuttle cargo bay gave total prelaunch heating rates of 29.5 and 12.9 kW for the LH2 and LO2 tanks, respectively. Calorimeter tests on a representative sample of the LH2 tank sidewall TPS indicated that the measured unit heating one would rapidly decrease from the prelaunch rate of about 300 W/sq m to a desired rate less than 4 W/sq m once on-orbit.

Macneil, Peter N.↗

Space shuttle launch vehicle (13 P-OTS) strut support interference effects study in the Rockwell International 7- by 7-foot trisonic wind tunnel (IA68)

Strut support interference investigations were conducted on an 0.004-(-) scale representation of the space shuttle launch vehicle in order to determine transonic and supersonic model support interference effects for use in a future exhaust plume effects study. Strut configurations were also tested. Orbiter, external tank, and solid rocket booster pressures were recorded at Mach numbers 0.9, 1.2, 1.5, and 2.0. Angle of attack and angle of sideslip were varied between plus or minus 4 degrees in 2 degree increments. Parametric variations consisted only of the strut configurations.

Rogge, R. L.↗

Development and test of the Shuttle/Centaur cryogenic tankage thermal protection system

The Thermal Protection System (TPS) for the Shuttle/Centaur had to provide fail-safe thermal protection during prelaunch, launch ascent, and on-orbit operations as well as during potential abort where the Shuttle and Centaur would return to earth. The TPS selected used a helium-purged polyimide foam beneath three radiation shields for the liquid hydrogen (LH2) tank and radiation shields only for the liquid oxygen (LO2) tank (three shields on the tank sidewall and four on the aft bulkhead). An evacuated common intermediate bulkhead separated the two tanks. The LH2 tank had one 1.9-cm thick layer of foam on the forward bulkhead and two layers on the larger area side-wall. Full scale tests of the flight vehicle in a simulated Shuttle cargo bay, that was purged with gaseous nitrogen, gave total prelaunch heating rates of 25.9 kW and 12.9 kW for LH2 and LO2 tanks, respectively. Calorimeter tests on a representative LH2 tank sidewall TPS sample indicated that the measured unit heating rate would rapidly decrease from the prelaunch rate of 300 W/sq m to a desired rate of less than 4 W/sq m once on-orbit.

Knoll, R. H.↗

Wind-Wave-Current Tank Research Facility usage and status

This summary is to provide information as to: (1) research activities, and (2) facilities status of the wind-wave-current tank research facility located at the GSFC/WFF. Research Activities include: (1) Wave-Turbulence Interaction; (2) Velocity Structure Below Waves; (3) Short-Wave Modification by Long-Waves; (4) Wind-Wave Generation Time Scale; (5) Wave-Current Interaction; (6) Rain Effects on Microwave Scattering from the Sea-Surface; and (7) Gas Exchange Rates versus Scatterometer Power.

Bliven, L. F.↗

Advanced studies program overview

The topics covered are presented in view graph form and include the following: (1) Space Station Engineering; (2) level 1 engineering organization; (3) advanced studies program organization; (4) NASA Center support areas; (5) work breakdown; (6) Space Station Freedom (SSF) Program Phases; (7) distributed systems evolution; (8) Space Shuttle ET mating analogy to on-orbit tank mating; (9) reference growth concept; (10) technology assessment process; (11) SSF technology priorities; (12) accomplishments; and (13) near term direction.

Ahlf, Peter R.↗

Technologies Involved in Configuring an Advanced Earth-to-Orbit Transport for Low Structural Mass

The current space shuttle is expected to adequately meet Government and industry needs for the transport of cargo to and from orbit well into the 1990's. However, continual study of potential follow-on shuttle systems is necessary and desirable in order to complement ongoing research in materials, structures, propulsion, aerodynamics, and other related areas. By studying alternate systems well in advance, it will be possible to explore the various technologies and develop those for which there is the greatest apparent payoff. In this paper a single-stage Earth-to-orbit transport designed for delivery of approximately 29,500 kg (65,000 lb) payload will be described. The vehicle, which takes off vertically and lands horizontally, is 60 m (197 feet) long and weighs approximately 1.8 Gg (4 M lb) at liftoff. In the interest of weight reduction, a simple body of revolution is utilized for the main body shell. In this design the main propulsion tanks serve as a primary load-carrying structure. Further, in order to minimize structural mass, the cargo bay is located between two of the main propellant tanks. The cargo volume, at 396 cu m (14,000 cu feet), exceeds that provided by the shuttle; but the bay itself is nonconforming in shape - being approximately 10 m (32 feet) in diameter by 5 m (17 feet) long. Dual-fuel propulsion is employed, since a number of studies have shown that (though lowering performance) the operation of hydrocarbon (RP) engines in parallel with LOX/LH2 engines results in a net reduction in the vehicle's physical size and structural mass. Other weight-saving features entail the extensive use of honeycomb sandwiches, advanced materials, and advanced fabrication techniques. The vehicle presented is utilized only as a means to study and identify various technologies needed in order to develop a low mass Earth-to-orbit transportation system for the future. The conclusion of this study is that vehicle geometry and structural/materials technology are critical to the development of efficient single-stage Earth-to-orbit transports.

MacConochie, Ian O.↗

Space Shuttle Propulsion Materials, Manufacturing, and Operational Challenges

Presentations in this session include: (1) External Tank (ET) Materials, Manufacturing, and Operational Challenges; (2) Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) Materials, Manufacturing, and Operational Challenges,(3) Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) Materials, Manufacturing, and Operational Challenges and (4) Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Materials, Manufacturing, and Operational Challenges.

Owen, James↗

Built-up Al-Li structures for cryogenic tank and dry bay applications

The objectives are: (1) to demonstrate the cost benefits of built-up cryotank and dry bay structures; (2) to study of benefits of using Al alloys; (3) to study of benefit of using Al-Li alloys; (4) to evaluate alternative low-cost stiffener and joining concepts.

Lisagor, W. Barry↗

Aerodynamic heating to representative SRB and ET protuberances

Heating data and data scaling methods which can be used on representative solid rocket booster and external tank (ET) protuberances are described. Topics covered include (1) ET geometry and heating points; (2) interference heating test data (51A); (3) heat transfer data from tests FH-15 and FH-16; (4) individual protuberance data; and (5) interference heating of paint data from test IH-42. A set of drawings of the ET moldline and protuberances is included.

Engel, C. D.↗

Assessment of constraints on space shuttle launch rates

The range of number of annual STS flights with 4- and 5-orbiter fleets was estimated and an overview of capabilities needed to support annual rates of 24 and up with a survey of known constraints and emphasis on External Tank (ET) production requirements was provided. Facility capability estimates are provided for ground turnaround, cargo handling, flight training and flight operations. Emphasizing the complexity of the STS systems and the R&D nature of present flight experience, it is concluded that the most prominent constraints in the early growth of the STS as an operational system may manifest themselves not as shortages of investment items such as the ET or SRB, but as inability to provide timely repairs or replacement of flight system components needed to sustain launch rates.

Source record↗

The Effect of Lower Surface Spoilers on the Transonic Trim Change of a Wind-Tunnel Model of a Fighter Airplane Having a Modified Delta Wing

In an attempt to find an aerodynamic means of counteracting the transonic trim change of a fighter airplane, lower surface spoilers were tested on a 0.055-scale wind-tunnel model. The Mach number range of the tests was 0.8 to 1.2 at Reynolds numbers of approximately 4 million. Although the spoilers produced a moderate decrease in the trim change at low altitudes, they also produced a large increase in drag. Pressure-distribution tests with external fuel tanks showed large pressure changes on the lower surface of the wing due to the tanks.

Robinson, Robert C.↗

Space Shuttle Propulsion System Reliability

This session includes the following sessions: (1) External Tank (ET) System Reliability and Lessons, (2) Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME), Reliability Validated by a Million Seconds of Testing, (3) Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) Reliability via Process Control, and (4) Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Reliability via Acceptance and Testing.

Welzyn, Ken↗

Friction Stir Welding Development

The research of this summer was a continuation of work started during the previous summer faculty fellowship period. The Friction Stir Welding process (FSW) patented by The Welding Institute (TWI), in Great Britain, has become a popular topic at the Marshall Space Flight Center over the past year. Last year it was considered a novel approach to welding but few people took it very seriously as a near term solution. However, due to continued problems with cracks in the new aluminum-lithium space shuttle external tank (ET), the friction stir process is being mobilized at full speed in an effort to mature this process for the potential manufacture of flight hardware. It is now the goal of NASA and Lockheed-Martin Corporation (LMC) to demonstrate a full-scale friction stir welding system capable of welding ET size barrel sections. The objectives this summer were: (1) Implementation and validation of the rotating dynamometer on the MSFC FSW system; (2) Collection of data for FSW process modeling efforts; (3) Specification development for FSW implementation on the vertical weld tool; (4) Controls and user interface development for the adjustable pin tool; and (5) Development of an instrumentation system for the planishing process. The projects started this summer will lead to a full scale friction stir welding system that is expected to produce a friction stir welded shuttle external tank type barrel section. The success of this could lead to the implementation of the friction stir process for manufacturing future shuttle external tanks.

Romine, Peter L.↗

Umbilical Connect Techniques Improvement-Technology Study

The objective of this study was to develop concepts, specifications, designs, techniques, and procedures capable of significantly reducing the time required to connect and verify umbilicals for ground services to the space shuttle. The desired goal was to reduce the current time requirement of several shifts for the Saturn 5/Apollo to an elapsed time of less than one hour to connect and verify all of the space shuttle ground service umbilicals. The study was conducted in four phases: (1) literature and hardware examination, (2) concept development, (3) concept evaluation and tradeoff analysis, and (4) selected concept design. The final product of this study was a detail design of a rise-off disconnect panel prototype test specimen for a LO2/LH2 booster (or an external oxygen/hydrogen tank for an orbiter), a detail design of a swing-arm mounted preflight umbilical carrier prototype test specimen, and a part 1 specification for the umbilical connect and verification design for the vehicles as defined in the space shuttle program.

Valkema, Donald C.↗

Low thrust chemical orbit to orbit propulsion system propellant management study

Low thrust chemical propulsion systems were sized for transfer of large space systems from LEO to GEO. The influence of propellant combination, tankage and insulation requirements, and propellant management techniques on the LTPS mass and volume were studied. Liquid oxygen combined with hydrogen, methane or kerosene were the propellant combinations. Thrust levels of 445, 2230, and 4450 N were combined with 1, 4 and 8 perigee burn strategies. This matrix of systems was evaluated using multilayer insulation and spray-on-foam insulation systems. Various combinations of toroidal, cylindrical with ellipsoidal domes, and ellipsoidal tank shapes were investigated. Results indicate that low thrust (445 N) and single perigee burn approaches are considerably less efficient than the higher thrust level and multiple burn strategies. A modified propellant settling approach minimized propellant residuals and decreased system complexity, in addition, the toroid/ellipsoidal tank combination was predicted to be shortest.

Dergance, R. H.↗

Shadowgraphs of air flow over prospective space shuttle configurations at Mach numbers from 0.8 to 1.4

Shadowgraphs of five space shuttle launch configurations are presented. The model was a 4 percent-scale space shuttle vehicle, tested in the 11- by 11-foot Transonic Wind Tunnel at Ames Research Center. The Mach number was varied from 0.8 to 1.4 with three angles of sideslip (0 deg, 5 deg and -5 deg) that were used in conjunction with three angles of attack (4 deg, -4 deg, and 0 deg). The model configurations included both series-burn and parallel-burn configurations, two canopy configurations, two positions of the orbiter nose relative to the HO tank nose, and two HO tank nose-cones angles (15 deg and 20 deg). The data consist entirely of shadowgraph photographs.

Dods, J. B., Jr.↗

Achieving Space Shuttle Abort-to-Orbit Using the Five-Segment Booster

The Five-Segment Booster design concept was evaluated by a team that determined the concept to be feasible and capable of achieving the desired abort-to-orbit capability when used in conjunction with increased Space Shuttle main engine throttle capability. The team (NASA Johnson Space Center, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, ATK Thiokol Propulsion, United Space Alliance, Lockheed-Martin Space Systems, and Boeing) selected the concept that provided abort-to-orbit capability while: 1) minimizing Shuttle system impacts by maintaining the current interface requirements with the orbiter, external tank, and ground operation systems; 2) minimizing changes to the flight-proven design, materials, and processes of the current four-segment Shuttle booster; 3) maximizing use of existing booster hardware; and 4) taking advantage of demonstrated Shuttle main engine throttle capability. The added capability can also provide Shuttle mission planning flexibility. Additional performance could be used to: enable implementation of more desirable Shuttle safety improvements like crew escape, while maintaining current payload capability; compensate for off nominal performance in no-fail missions; and support missions to high altitudes and inclinations. This concept is a low-cost, low-risk approach to meeting Shuttle safety upgrade objectives. The Five-Segment Booster also has the potential to support future heavy-lift missions.

Craft, Joe↗

Aeroheating (pressure) characteristics on a 0.10-scale version of the vehicle 3 space shuttle configuration (26-OTS) in the Langley Research Center 4-foot wind tunnel (IH4)

Results of wind tunnel tests, conducted at the Langley Research Center Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel, are presented. The model tested was an 0.010-scale version of the Vehicle 3 Space Shuttle Configuration. Pressure measurements were made on the launch configuration, Orbiter alone, external tank alone, and solid rocket booster alone, to provide heat transfer pressure data. The tests were conducted for a Mach number range from 2.36 to 4.6 and Reynolds number range from 1.2 to 5 million per foot. The model was tested at angles of attack from -10 to 20 deg for a sideslip angle range from -5 to +5 deg, and at sideslip angles from -5 to 48 deg for 0 deg angle of attack. Tabulated data are given and photographs of the test configuration are shown.

Kingsland, R. B.↗